A/V transmission through CAT5 cable

 For audio- and video-transmission we mostly use RCA, SCART or HDMI cables. What most of the people don’t know yet is that CAT5 cables are also very suitable for the transmission of broadband (HD) audio- and video signals and that this offers many advantages.

The limitations of RCA, SCART or HDMI cables:

• the picture quality decreases considerably with longer cables (see table below).
• it is, certainly with HDMI cables, impossible to place a connector on the cable yourself. Because of this you often need to drill large holes to lead the cable with connector through.
• longer cables are often very expensive.
• the correct length is not easy to purchase.

The use of so called CAT5 cables is a very interesting alternative, and that is why they are frequently used in larger professional A/V sets yet.

What is a CAT5 cable?
A CAT5 cable (also known as UTP or network cable) combined with the well-known RJ45 connector (picture) is often found as connection between PC and network (router), as data network and between data-equipment. You might even have a (small) data network at home where you use this kind of cable

Why use a CAT5 cable?

The use of this cable has a number of striking advantages:

• little or no loss of quality;
• can be used over long distances;
• usable for both SD and HD Audio/Video signals;
• relatively cheap and widely available;
• you can place the plugs yourself what makes that: 
  - every length can be realised 
  - the cable is easily guided through a PVC-pipe,
  - the holes that need to be drilled can be small;
• the cable is relatively thin and flexible so it can easily be concealed.

However, the RJ45 connector cannot be plugged straight into your TV or A/V device. Marmitek, as specialist in the field of audio/video transmission, offers a number of products which can be used to transmit both the Standard Definition (composite) as well as the High Definition (HDMI) signal through CAT5 cable. Knowing;

• the MegaView 50, for watching Composite Video through CAT5.
• the MegaView 51, for watching and operating Composite Video through CAT5.
• the MegaView 60, for watching HDMI through CAT5.
• the MegaView 61, for watching and operating HDMI through CAT5.

It has never been easier to watch your SD or HD video content, elsewhere on your TV.

Comparison different cables

 * depending on the quality of the cable